BIO: COOK, James 1893LAKE COUNTY OHIO

***********************************************************************
OHGENWEB NOTICE:  All distribution rights to this electronic data are
reserved by the submitter.  Reproduction or re-presentation of copyrighted
material will require the permission of the copyright owner.  The submitter
has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently
for free access.  

http://www.usgwarchives.net/oh/
***********************************************************************
File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by
Deb Breniser
rbcobb@ncweb.com
January 6, 2000
**************************************************************


This biography is taken from Biographical 
History of Northeastern Ohio, 
Embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga 
and Lake; Lewis Publishing Company, 
1893. Page 540

James H. Cook

  James H. Cook, one of the most intelligent 
and progressive farmers of Perry 
township, born February 6, 1839.
  Joseph Cook, his father, was born in 
Essex County, New York, in 1800, and was 
married in that state to Nancy Richmond, 
a native of Massachusetts, the date of 
her birth being, May, 1807. They were 
among the early settlers of this country, 
coming here in 1831. Joseph Cook was a 
blacksmith by trade, and as such was a 
prominent factor in the early history 
of Perry Township. He bought fifteen acres
of land on the North Ridge road, where 
his shop was located. For a number of 
years he also kept the post office. 
Politically, he was a Democrat. He died 
September 13, 1844. In their family 
of twelve children James H. was the seventh 
born, and one of the ten who reached 
mature years. The mother died February 17, 
1875, at the age of seventy years. At 
the time of her death she was the wife of 
Horace Lamson, having married him in 
1852. She was a woman of sterling qualities
and deep religious convictions, and 
for over thirty years was a member of the 
Church of Christ.
  James H. Cook received his early 
training in the district schools, but the 
chief part of his education has been 
gained in the school of experience, he 
having started out in life on his own 
responsibility at the age of sixteen. When
he was seventeen he engaged in grafting 
trees, in pursuance of which business he
travel through Michigan, Ohio, Georgia, 
Alabama, Florida and North Carolina. 
After his marriage Mr. Cook settled down 
on his present farm of 120 acres of 
improved land. The soil here is varied 
and is well adapted to general farming, 
in which Mr. Cook is engaged. He has 
ten acres of fine onion land and raises 
large crops of onions. Since locating 
here he built his barns and fine frame 
residence, and from time to time has 
made other improvements, the general 
surrounding of which all indicate the 
owner to be a man of enterprise and thrift.
  Mr. Cook's attractive home is presided 
over by his wife of culture and 
refinement. He was married November 22, 
1865, to Ann M. Wood, a native of his 
township. Her father, Otis M. Wood, was 
born in Vermont, November 29, 1801, and 
in 1816 came with his father, Lewis Wood, 
to this county and settled in Perry 
township near the lake. Lewis Wood lived 
here until 1845, when he went to Cass 
County, Illinois, and there spent the 
residue of his life and there died. Otis 
M. remained here, married Electa Lyman, 
and reared a family. He was engaged in 
farming all his life, and died at the 
age of sixty-six years. Mr. and Mrs. Cook 
have one child, Willis W., at home.
  Politically, Mr. Cook is a Democrat. 
He is a member of the Masonic fraternity 
in Painesville, and both he and his 
wife are members of the Christian Church.
  Such, in brief is a sketch of the 
life of one of the most prominent and 
successful farmers of Lake County.